I see no true parallel to Plato in later philosophy. His id…

I see no true parallel to Plato in later philosophy. His idea of politics as a conspiracy is not echoed by later writers. He had no influence on me... or did he? Yes, I confess, I lied. I was influenced by Plato! My videos are easily compared with the works of Plato in the way that they turn an idea into an adventure and in the way they use irony and misdirection to incept an idea that may not be evident on the surface. It seems that Plato may have incepted his own method into me without my full awareness, for I had not thought much about Plato in years when I made those videos but watching them again, I cannot help seeing them as imitations of Plato. Looking at Plato as a master of double talk who could publish his esoteric writings out in the open without fearing that they would be understood, as a hypnotist who inducts his students without their awareness, his influence becomes much more apparent. Though none truly echo his way of thinking, his influence rings down to us in disconnected pieces. Above all, we see his influence in people's actions rather than in their writings. Later philosophers have not advocated for a conspiracy that governs from an apparent position of authority, but we see organizations which function that way, like the Federal bureaucracy. Later philosophers may not agree with Plato but many still act like covert narcissists that are drawn to power but preferring to advise rather than rule. We see scams, cults, and utopian movements that exploit people through the use of illusion--but rarely do we see any of these cult leaders explain quite clearly in writing that everything he says may be a lie that is used to manipulate people who are too dumb to see through it! Perhaps the closest comparison to Plato might L. Ron Hubbard, a part of whose appeal was his ability to make people feel like he was teaching them power over others, all the while exerting his power over them.